With regard to your mobility issues: I recommend using buses in favor of subways everywhere. They require no climbing up and down, you don't have to walk between lines, and you can see the sights and get off anywhere you like.

Here is my London guide: http://tinyurl.com/nhjo9

And here is Paris: http://tinyurl.com/c2tgo

I agree with you cchottel...packing in too much in your plans can take away some of the wonder of Europe. I think we'll plan on sights but also enjoy the area and people. Robespierre---thanks for the navigation aid and Do-it-yourself tour of Paris sites. Looks like a lot of valuable info. Now, all I have to do, is find that London hotel!! I'm working on it.

I agree with Robespierre about using buses. I always book with London Guest Suites & they have flats in both Paris & London. My personal preference in London is Knightsbridge/S. Kensington area:

http://www.londonguestsuites.com/

The B&Bs I mentioned have a walkup to get to the main door. From what I remember of all those places, there were rooms on the same floor as the breakfast room. Harlingford is my fave, perhaps an email to them and a scan of the info on the Web might clarify.

Hope this isn't too vague!
Mike

Agree with suggestions for Paris buses - the connections for the metro require too much up and down stairways. We used buses a bunch on our visit and really loved them. Two caveats: Paris traffic normally runs well but can snarl at unexpected times for unexpected reasons. Don't take busses if you are in a hurry. Secondly, there were occasions when finding a particular bus stop was frustrating. Our map suggested that we should be able to get on one of three lines at a particular intersection, for instance, but at the intersection, there would only be stops for two lines, the third line stop being a block away. If you can figure out how to ask "Where is the bus stop for line # so-and-so" in French, you'll have a ball.

There is a range of maps at the RATP web site titled <i>Plans de Quartier de Paris</i> that shows <u>precisely</u> where every stop is. I have never failed to find where to board any bus.

http://www.ratp.info/orienter/plan_t...hp?partenaire=

You all continue to come up with excellent information. I'm going to take a look at the London guest suites site and the B&amp;B's. Since we will be there at the end of September (27-Oct 2), will it still be warm?...I wear what is called a &quot;suction socket&quot; prosthesis, so if it's warm, AC comes in handy when you are inside. It's my understanding that many European hotels and B&amp;B's do not have AC. I'm reading throught Frommers, Fodors, and Rick Steve's book on hotel suggestions. They mention many areas of London. Which area in London is the best to be in if you want to be near some sights, restaurants, etc. but also be able to sleep at night. Looks like the price ranges can be high, but the longer I research, I can find some deals. What about the Millenium in Glouchester or the Millenium on Sloane St.? We don't need fancy but we do like it nice, clean and with an attached bathroom. Looking forward to your thoughts.

It is totally unnecessary to choose lodging based on proximity to sights, for two reasons:

There are interesting things to see all the way from Kensington (the Museum Cluster) to the Tower and bridge clear out to Greenwich, and everywhere in between.

You can get around central London quickly and easily by bus. We have stayed at the Days Inn Waterloo, across from the Imperial War Museum. The #159 bus, which stops 100 feet from the hotel, put us at Big Ben in 5 minutes.

Shop hotels for <i>value</i>, not location.

Good to know...thanks.